Teaninich 1991 (14 yo - Gordon & MacPhail's Connoisseurs Choice)

Although Teaninich is located just down the road from Dalmore Distillery, it seems content to remain in the shadows of its more commercially successful neighbor. Most of its make goes into Diageo's blending vats, and single malt releases are left up to the independent bottlers. I was lucky to come across this example.

Color: Old Gold

Nose: Somewhat closed and uncomplicated. Remembrances of my grandmother's banana pudding (with soggy vanilla wavers) play hide and seek in the background.

Palate: Light body with big surge of oak which drowns out the initial barley sweetness. Spices develop late A bit hot. Chewy.

Finish: Fairly long with tannins and spice predominating. Warming.

Notes: A very uneven malt with too much oak influence; the barley barely has a fighting chance. HOWEVER, with air and time the dram becomes tamer and offers a pleasant, if not complex, experience.

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